Baby mule stands just 20 inches tall

by Maryam Mirza Sat Sep 10, 2011 11:37 am

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LONDON: A baby mule has been born, standing just 20 inches tall.

Pedro barely reaches his owners kneecaps and is believed to be one of the smallest mules ever born.

His mother, Mrs Pickles, only stands at about 30 inches tall herself, putting Pedro's tiny stature into perspective.

Pedro was born two weeks ago and is now grazing happily at Springwell Farm in Consett, Country Durham.

His owner Maisey Watson, 49, who breeds horses, donkeys and mules, said: "When he is fully grown, he will probably be no bigger than a labrador.

"He is the smallest mule in the country as far as we are aware, and maybe the world.

"He barely reaches up to my kneecap at the moment and he shouldn't grow too much taller.

"We knew he was going to be small when Mrs Pickles mated with Angus the donkey, because they are both small.

"But we were still shocked by just how small Pedro is. "He is a lovely little fellow, and he is so tiny and light I can pick him up and give him a cuddle."

She added that the birth took just ten minutes and Pedro has been given a clean bill of health by the vet, despite his size.

Mules are the offspring of a male donkey and female horse, and males are always infertile.